How Teachers Find Out About Student Smoking

Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, smoking and vaping are prohibited on school property AND within 20 metres of any point on the perimeter of school grounds [citation:5]. This means:

• Sidewalks adjacent to the school — If you’re standing on the sidewalk across the street, within 20 metres of the school fence, you’re breaking the law [citation:10].
• Public parks near schools — Many community parks within 20 metres of school grounds are also covered.
• Neighbourhood streets — Even residential streets within the 20-metre radius are monitored.

Teachers aren’t the only ones watching. Under school board enforcement protocols, any staff member can witness and report a smoking offence [citation:3]. This includes:

• Teachers — inside the classroom or outside during supervision duties
• Principals and vice-principals — anywhere on or near school property
• Custodians and maintenance staff — often the first to notice students in secluded areas
• Administrative staff — including office personnel who may observe from windows

When a staff member witnesses a student smoking or vaping within the 20-metre zone, they complete a Notice of Offence form, which becomes official evidence [citation:1][citation:8].

Once a staff member witnesses a smoking offence, a formal process is triggered [citation:3]:

Step 1 — The Principal Completes Paperwork

The principal or designate completes a Notice of Offence form, documenting [citation:1][citation:8]:

• Student’s full name, date of birth, and address
• Date, time, and exact location of the offence (including distance from school property)
• Name of the witness (reporting staff member)
• Description of the offence

Step 2 — Notice Sent to Health Unit

A copy of the Notice of Offence is sent by confidential FAX or email to the local Tobacco Enforcement Officer (TEO) at the regional health unit [citation:1][citation:3][citation:6].

Step 3 — Parents Are Notified

The principal sends a Parent/Guardian Notification of Legal Action letter home, informing parents that a legal process has been initiated [citation:1][citation:6].

Step 4 — Ticket or Summons Issued

The Tobacco Enforcement Officer reviews the evidence and decides to issue a Provincial Offences Ticket (fine) or a Provincial Offences Summons (court appearance) [citation:1][citation:3].

📅 Age Matters — How Enforcement Differs

School boards and health units have different procedures depending on the student’s age [citation:1][citation:3][citation:6]:

Under 16 Years

• Principal completes Notice of Offence, holds it at the school
• Parent notification letter is sent home
• May receive a Provincial Offences Summons (must appear in court with parents)

16 to 17 Years

• Principal completes Notice of Offence
• Copy sent to Tobacco Enforcement Officer
• Both parent and student may be notified
• Provincial Offences Ticket or Summons may be issued

18 Years and Over

• Treated as an adult
• Ticket or summons issued directly to the student
• Can face the same penalties as any adult smoker

Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) work for regional health units and have broad powers to enforce smoking laws [citation:7]:

• They can issue tickets on school property — independently of school administration [citation:3][citation:7].
• They investigate complaints from community members — anyone can report smoking on school grounds [citation:10].
• They monitor retailer compliance — ensuring convenience stores near schools don’t sell to minors [citation:7].
• They work with schools to enforce the 20-metre rule [citation:2].

Schools don’t have a choice about enforcement. Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, schools are legally required to ensure compliance [citation:5]. School responsibilities include:

• Posting “No Smoking” and “No Vaping” signs at all entrances, exits, and washrooms [citation:5].
• Removing ashtrays from school grounds [citation:5].
• Ensuring that anyone who refuses to comply leaves the premises [citation:5].
• Reporting violations to the health unit [citation:1][citation:3].

📱 Social Media — The Modern Smoking Detection Tool

Even if you’re never caught in person, students are increasingly caught through social media posts. Schools monitor:

• Instagram stories and posts showing students smoking or vaping
• Snapchat videos that get screenshotted and shared
• TikTok content filmed off-campus but tagged with school locations
• Group chats where students discuss or share photos of smoking

Once a post is brought to the school’s attention, it becomes evidence — even if the smoking occurred off-campus and outside the 20-metre zone, schools can still take disciplinary action under their codes of conduct [citation:2][citation:9].